Browsing by Author "Ekakoro, Newton"

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Antimicrobial activity of crude methanolic extract fractions from balanites aegyptiaca (L.) delile
(African Journal of Education Science and Technology (AJEST), 2025-12-15) Asio, Santa Maria; Gumula, Ivan; Lulago, Zedde Muwanguzi; Kigozi, Stephen; Ekakoro, Newton; Eboyu, Thomas
Microbial infections remain a major global health concern, with mortality rates continuing to rise each decade. Projections estimate that by 2050, antimicrobial resistance could account for up to 10 million deaths annually. This study investigated the antimicrobial potential of phytochemical groups present in crude extracts of B.aegyptiacaas a possible alternative for managing microbial infections. Plant materials (leaves, stem bark, and root bark) were collected from two local varieties of B. aegyptica which are tentatively referred to as the “sweet” and “sour” varieties growing in Ajeluk village, Katakwi District, North-Eastern Uganda. The dried and pulverized samples (100 g each) were subjected to successive extraction with n-hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol. The resulting crude extracts were concentrated using a rotary evaporator, followed by fractionation through silica gel column chromatography. Fractions were further purified using preparative thin-layer chromatography, with separated bands visualized under Ultra Violet(UV)light, eluted, and tested for antimicrobial activity. Test organisms included multidrug-resistant AmericanType Culture Collection (ATCC) Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Candida albicans ATCC 10231, and Aspergillus flavus ATCC 6275. The methanolic fractions demonstrated notable antimicrobial activity, with inhibition zones greater than 8 mm. Among the phytochemical groups, phenolics exhibited the strongest activity(23.67 ± 1.15 mm), while coumarin-containing fractions displayed the lowest activity (7.00 ± 0.00 mm). Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between inhibition zones of the phytochemical groups and the positive control (p < 0.05). Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides,and coumarins in the extracts. Overall, the findings suggest that B. aegypticacontains diverse bioactive compounds with antimicrobial potential, particularly against fungal pathogens. C. albicansand A. flavuswere more susceptible to these extracts than E. coli, highlighting the plant’s promise as a source of antifungal agents.
Knowledge and attitude of nosocomial infection prevention and control precautions among healthcare personnel at Kiruddu Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda
(BMC Health Services Research, 2025-01-28) Ekakoro, Newton; Nakayinga, Ritah ; Kaddumukasa, Martha A. ; Mbatudde, Maria
Background A key concern for global public health is nosocomial infections. Essential to the fight against nosocomial infection, is healthcare professionals’ knowledge and attitudes. Therefore, this study investigated healthcare professionals’ knowledge and attitudes toward nosocomial infection at the Kiruddu Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was carried out at Kiruddu Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. We selected the participants using simple random sampling. Data were collected from a total of 78 healthcare personnel using pretested, structured, self-administered questionnaires. We used SPSS version 20.0 for data analysis and applied descriptive statistics to present the frequencies and percentages. Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to evaluate the association between independent factors and knowledge and attitude (KA) ratings on hospital-acquired infection (HAI) prevention. P-values less than 0.05 were regarded as statistically significant. Results Among the different categories of health workers, doctors exhibited the highest level of knowledge. There was a significant association between knowledge scores and occupation (χ2LR = 25.610; P = 0.000). The mean knowledge scores across different infection prevention aspects were as follows: hand hygiene (82.2 ± 18.9), PPE use (71.8 ± 23.1), sharp disposal and sharp injuries (59.2 ± 25.7), and waste management (57.4 ± 29.9). Notably, 20.5% of participants did not change PPE between patients, and 44.9% indicated that their workload negatively impacted their ability to follow infection prevention standards. Conclusion The study highlighted gaps in healthcare personnel’s knowledge and attitudes toward infection prevention. It is therefore important to provide regular targeted training programs emphasizing underrepresented areas, PPE availability, strengthen policy enforcement, and integrate infection prevention education into medical and nursing curricula.
Knowledge, attitude and practices among staff and in-patients on prevention and control of nosocomial infections at Kiruddu referral hospital, Uganda
(Kyambogo University (Unpublished work), 2024-07) Ekakoro, Newton
Worldwide, the number of hospitalised patients suffering from hospital acquired infections, or HAIs, is gradually increasing. Rising rates of morbidity, mortality, long-term disability, prolonged hospital stays, microbial resistance, increased healthcare costs for patients and their families, and an increase in the financial strain on the healthcare system have made it a growing public health concern that impacts both the medical community and the general public. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices among hospital staff and in-patients in the prevention and control of nosocomial infections. A cross-sectional study design with a quantitative approach was utilized in this study. A sample of 219 respondents was used for the study including 141 patients and 78 hospital staff. Questionnaires were used to obtain information from both the patients and the hospital staff. Majority 64.1% of respondents reported that used Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be disposed of using standard municipal disposal procedures. Majority 66.7% of hospital staff believed they had a very high risk of acquiring infections from their patients. Majority 66.0% of patients always wash hands with soap and water at the hospital. More than half of the staffs 53.8% agreed that used Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be discarded through regular dustbin. There was 8.209 x 106 times more likeliness to acquire nosocomial infection among the patients that felt that they don't have to wash their hands if they aren't visibly unclean than those who were not sure at a at adj. OR = 8.209 x106; 95% CI (3.112 x 106 – 2.165 x 107). Also, there was 4.227 times more likeliness to acquire nosocomial infection among the patients that felt that the cleaning staff should clean the floors of the wards twice in 24 hours’ than those that felt cleaning to be done four times in 24 hours at adj. OR = 4.227;95% CI (1.341 – 13.328). In conclusion ensuring sensitization and awareness campaigns of new and outgoing patients and hospital staff, formulation and updating policies on matters relating to hospital infections and isolation of patients in cases which have been identified could be helpful in improving the knowledge and practice towards infection prevention at the hospital.
Phytochemical screening and in-vitro antifungal activity of balanites aegyptiaca extracts against candida albicans and aspergillus flavus
(African Journal of Education Science and Technology (AJEST), 2025-12-15) Asio, Santa Maria; Gumula, Ivan; Lulago, Muwanguzi Zedde; Kigozi, Stephen; Ekakoro, Newton; Eboyu, Thomas
Fungal infections caused by Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus pose major public health challenges, particularly in regions with limited access to effective antifungal drugs and increasing resistance to existing therapies. Although Balanites aegyptiaca is widely used in traditional medicine, its antifungal potential remains insufficiently studied. The study evaluated extracts against C. albicans, a causative agent of candidiasis, and A. flavus, a mycotoxin-producing fungus, to determine their therapeutic potential and relevance in managing fungal infections. Leaves stem bark, and root bark of B. aegyptiaca were collected from disease-free trees in Katakwi District, Uganda, washed, air-dried, pulverized, and stored under sterile conditions. Crude extracts were prepared via successive maceration using methanol, dichloromethane, and n-hexane. Qualitative phytochemical screening detected saponins, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, anthraquinones, coumarins, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, and starch. Antifungal activity against C. albicans and A. flavus was evaluated using the agar-well diffusion method. Experiments were conducted in triplicate, and zones of inhibition were measured. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test in STATA 14.0, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Methanol proved the most effective solvent for extracting phytochemicals from B. aegyptiaca, yielding higher crude extract quantities than dichloromethane and n-hexane. Phytochemical screening identified alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, coumarins, cardiac glycosides, and phytosterols in leaves, stem bark, and root bark, with methanolic extracts containing the broadest range of compounds. Sour varieties generally had higher phenolic content than sweet ones. Antifungal assays showed methanolic extracts had the strongest activity, producing inhibition zones up to 23.67 mm against C. albicans and 23.00 mm against A. flavus, particularly in stem and root bark. Dichloromethane (DCM) extracts exhibited moderate antifungal activity, while n-hexane was least effective, except for some moderate inhibition of A. flavus by non-polar compounds. Polar solvents, particularly methanol, efficiently extracted bioactive compounds from B. aegyptiaca, with the sweet variety yielding more than the sour. Crude extracts inhibited C. albicans and A. flavus, suggesting combined plant parts may enhance antifungal efficacy.
Postnatal care service utilisation and associated factors among multiparous women in Buyamba County, Rakai District Uganda: a community-based cross-sectional study
(Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 2025-12-26) Nakayima, Robinah; Ssemujju, Stephen; Ekakoro, Newton
Background Despite advancements in the use of maternity care services, certain nations in sub-Saharan Africa continue to record unacceptable rates of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, particularly in the postnatal period. This study aimed to assess the level of postnatal care service utilisation and associated factors among multiparous women in Buyamba County, Rakai District, Uganda. Method A community-based cross-sectional study involving women who had two or more children was conducted in four sub-counties of Buyamba County. Study participants were recruited using a systematic sampling technique. A structured and pre-tested questionnaire was used to gather data. Descriptive, bivariate and modified poisson regressions were computed using STATA version 14. Statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05 and the strength of statistical association was assessed by prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Result Out of 321 women who participated in the study, (81.9%) were married, (30.8%) were aged 35–44 years, (71.0%) attended antenatal care (ANC) during their previous pregnancy, (94.7%) delivered normally, and (94.4%) utilised postnatal care (PNC) services of which (67.2%) received immunisation for the children, (26.2%) acquired family planning counseling and (70.3%) had four or more PNC visits. Attending antenatal care (aPR = 1.750; 95% CI: 1.029–2.981), being aware of PNC services (aPR = 1.380; 95% CI: 1.016–1.875), receiving PNC education (aPR = 1.421; 95% CI: 1.048–1.923), having a normal delivery (aPR = 1.538; 95% CI: 1.055–2.241), and residing within 5 km of a health facility (aPR = 1.282; 95% CI: 1.006–1.632) were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of utilising postnatal care services. In contrast, being younger in age (aPR = 0.511; 95% CI: 0.347–0.752) and having a husband without formal education (aPR = 0.622; 95% CI: 0.454–0.853) were significantly associated with a lower likelihood of postnatal care services utilisation. Conclusion The study identified several maternal, spousal, and accessibility factors influencing postnatal care utilisation. Enhancing maternal health education, improving facility access, involving partners, and strengthening antenatal counseling and community sensitisation can increase PNC utilisation and improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
Prevalence and predictors of stress, anxiety, and depression among healthcare workers during the COVID–19 pandemic at a mental referral hospital in Kampala, Uganda
(BMC Public Health, 2025-08-08) Otai, James; Ekakoro, Newton; Masaba, Henry; Nvumetta, Ruth
Background Healthcare workers faced immense psychological strain during the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID – 19) pandemic due to increased workloads, infection risk, and limited protective equipment. This study assessed the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among them and identified factors contributing to these mental health challenges during the outbreak. Methods A cross-sectional study was done at Butabika National Mental Referral Hospital between February and March of 2023. We gave self-administered, paper-based surveys to all willing Healthcare workers (HCWs) working day shifts during this period. Sections on socio-demographics characteristics, perceived stress (PSS–10), anxiety (GAD–7), and depression (PHQ–9) were all included in the questionnaire. The SPSS version 26.0 program was used to analyse the data. To determine the variables that predict psychological distress, we employed Modified Poisson regression. When the p-value was less than 0.05, statistical significance was declared. Results Among the 209 enrolled participants, 198 (94.7%) eligible subjects were included in the analysis. Majority of the participants (58.6%) were female, (73.7%) were married, (49.5%) were nurses and 58.6% had more working hours. The prevalence of symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic was 91.9%, 27.3% and 57.6%, respectively. In relation to perceived stress, being female (aRR = 1.219; 95% CI: 1.010–2.922), being younger in age (aRR = 1.672; 95% CI: 1.050–5.733) and having worked for 11–15 years (aRR = 1.274; 95% CI: 1.020–2.503) were significantly associated with higher risk of perceived stress. Participants with a bachelor’s degree had higher risk of generalized anxiety disorder symptoms (aRR = 2.577; 95% CI: 1.123–4.980), whereas being a nurse (aRR = 0.082; 95% CI: 0.040–0.900) showed lower risk of anxiety. Being married (aRR = 1.322; 95% CI: 1.042–2.260) and being younger in age (aRR = 1.037; 95% CI: 1.005–2.834) were significantly associated with higher risk of depressive symptoms, whereas being a technician (aRR = 0.683; 95% CI: 0.480–0.972) and having no change in work volume (aRR = 0.711; 95% CI: 0.532–0.987) were associated to lower risk of depression symptoms. Conclusion Psychological distress was high among mental health workers during COVID-19. Supportive measures such as adequate PPE, manageable workloads, mental health check-ins, and challenging societal stigma are needed to improve well-being, within study limitations.